Another newbie question. Had my new to me Hunter 18.5 out on the water Saturday for the first time. Is it possible to heel this boat over far enough to tip it or capsize it? I wasn't ever too worried but had a friend who had never sailed either and he was always trying to crawl out of the boat when it would heel a little.
Hunter 18.5 heeling
- Thread starter RDS2012
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I sailed an 18.5 for years and it was a great boat!
I wouldn't worry about capsizing but they do heel. They don't have a traveler so vang sheet, hang on and have fun.
I wouldn't worry about capsizing but they do heel. They don't have a traveler so vang sheet, hang on and have fun.
I just started sailing and just bought the boat. It come with a metal boom vang instead of a normal vang. Is this something I should replace with a normal vang? I'm attaching a pic of it. Appreciate your help.
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As long as the ridged vang is operational it's as good , or better, than a soft vang ( I can't tell from the picture ). With it you can eliminate the topping lift and I don't see one on your boat. That's a good thing because the full batten main on a 18.5 has a large roach and the topping lift is a major PITA .
That's probably doing nothing!
Here's what I suggest ( if your budget allows ):
A boom kicker and soft vang ( that's what I had and have on my present boat ) or a ridged vang. If you go with a ridged I suggest Garhaurer ( best bang for you buck, by far ). You can't vang sheet without a vang and on that boat being able to vang sheet is important if you want to reduce heel and increase performance.
While you are at it I'd suggest you install a cunningham. It's simple and not very expensive and in my opinion a " must have " for any sail boat.
I know it seems the expense goes on and on but there is a huge difference in fun and satisfaction in sailing a boat that is performing at it's best or performing like a pig.
Enjoy your boat. You can learn to sail in one day but it will take the rest of your life to get good at it. And that's why we do it!
Here's what I suggest ( if your budget allows ):
A boom kicker and soft vang ( that's what I had and have on my present boat ) or a ridged vang. If you go with a ridged I suggest Garhaurer ( best bang for you buck, by far ). You can't vang sheet without a vang and on that boat being able to vang sheet is important if you want to reduce heel and increase performance.
While you are at it I'd suggest you install a cunningham. It's simple and not very expensive and in my opinion a " must have " for any sail boat.
I know it seems the expense goes on and on but there is a huge difference in fun and satisfaction in sailing a boat that is performing at it's best or performing like a pig.
Enjoy your boat. You can learn to sail in one day but it will take the rest of your life to get good at it. And that's why we do it!
What most people do not realize is this boat along with the other water ballast hunter sailboats should not heel over 13-14 degrees as they will start slowing down. It is better to heel a little less for best results in speed via sail control. What many do not understand there are alot of people who are afraid when a boat starts to tilt.
Thanks for all the advice, Ken and Dave. I really do appreciate it. I had a feeling something wasn't right about the vang but I didn't know what. Definitely will be looking at getting either a boomkicker or a rigid vang.
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